Tire-making machine.



T. J. WHALEN.

TIRE MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION Mmm SLPT-15, 1910.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

3 SHEETSvSHEET 1.

T. J. WHALBN.

TIRE MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I5, 1910.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

T. J. WHALEN.

TIRE MAKIN APPLlcATIoN MLB G MACHINE,

B sEPT.15.1910.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3,

TED `sfrAtris PATENT OFFICE.

THolvLAs J. WHALEN, F NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, rro HARRY M. MARBLE, or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

TIRE-MAKING MACHINE.

Application filed September 15, 1910.

To all tc/mm it muy concern Be it known that I, THoMAs J. W HALEN, a citizen of the llnited States of America, and a resident ot' New Brunswick, county of Middlesex, and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Tire- Malcing Machine, ot' which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for making pneumatic tires, more especially for making shoes ol' clcncher and quick-detacliable types for. pneumatic tires, and comprises mechm'iisin whereby the operations of winding the fabric, /torming the beads. and applying the gum, may be performed in the main mechanically instead of by hand as is at present customary.

The objects of my invention are to construct pneumatic tires, and, particularly, the shoes thereof, by machine Work; and to pro- \A ide a simple and reliable machine for such purpose.

I will now roceed to describe. my invention with. reerenco to the accompanying drawings, in which one type of machine embodying my invention is illustrated, and will then point out the novel features in claims.

in said drawings: Figure i shows a side elevation of ray tire making machine; Fig. E shows a top view thereof; Fig. 3 shows a transverse section thereof through the chuck and core; Fig. 4 shows an elevation of the inner side of one of the side plates of the chuck; Fig. 5 shows a front elevation of the chuck; Fig. 6 is a detail View, more or less diagrammatic. illustrating the action of the 1.xesser rollers; the view showing a transierse section of the core with the said rollers in cooperative proximity thereto; Fig. 7 'is a vien' illustrating; more or less diagrammatieally the action ot' the spaders on 4the, fabricthe View showing a cross section of the core and of a layer of the fabric thereon, and showing in operative position, one of the spadcrs; Fig. 8 is a detail view illus- 'trating the action of the mechanism for apply-'ing continuous beads to a shoe during the process ot' formation thereof', the view showing in elevation a portion of the core lookin;r 'trom the center ot rot-ation out` ward. and showing the bead-applying rolls i in coperatire 'proximity to said core; Fig. il

is another detail view illustrating the action of the rollers for applying continuous beads. the view being a section on the line o--o of Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

smal No. 582,186.

Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a detail view illustrating means for rolling the fabric over thc,bead, after (he latter has been applied, and for insuring accurate form of' the bead; the view showing a transverse section of the core, lookingr from the center of rotation outward, and showing one of the said rolls in cooperative proximity to the core; Fig. 1l shows a cross section of the carcass of the tire after application of the beads and after the application of the fabric covering outside of the beads, the View showing the carcass after the action of the forming rollers and trimming knives thereon;

l2 and lll illustrate means for applyendless beads to tires, Fig. 12 showing a side elevation of the core with a tire in process of formation thereon, and with a forni in proximity thereto for applying a bead, and Fig. 13 showing a transverse scction ot the same parts, two of these forms being .shown in cooperative proximity to the core. for amilyingr beads toopposite sides of the shoe; Fig. 14 is a detail elevation and partial section of the traverse saddles carrying,Ir the tool arms, the view being a Section on the line "(0 of Figi l, looking in the direction ot the arrows. Fig. 15 is a detail View illustrating thc swivel-connection of the tools to the tool carrying arms; Fig. 16 is a detail elevation ot the tension-applying and adjusting device; Fig.. 17 is a detail transverse section of one form of tire shoe such as may be formed inthe machine herein described. n y

In forming tiro shoes bymeans of the machine shown in the above drawin s, the method of operation is as follows: l core upon which the carcass of the shoe is to 'be formed, is mounted on a suitable rotatable chuck, and the end of a strip of tire-fabric saturated With rubber cement or other suitable material, is drawn from a. supply roll' and is applied to the surface of the core, the latter having previously been' covered with cement, so that the' fabric, when applied to it., adheres to it. The successive layers of this fabric on the supply rolliare separated from one another bv an interwoulid wrapper strip, and as the fabric is drawn from the supply roll, as hereinafter described, this Wrapper .strip Winds upon a wrapper roll. beine; thereby drawn away the core'. Means hereinafter described are filers of fabric have thus been applied t0 the roll carryinga gum strip..

is wound upon the partly provided for maintaining tension upon the fabricas it is drawn from the supply roll, and for regulating. such tension. The end of the fabric strip having' been applied to the core, as just described, the core is ro,.- tated by suitable means, the strip being .therebyjdrawn Afrom the supply roll and wound upon the surface of the core. In some cases the tension on the fabric is relied upon to insure close Winding of the fabric on the core, and of successive layers of the fabric upon the layers beneath, While in other'cases pressure rollers are provided in additionA for rolling down the fabric upon the core as the winding proceeds. After a suitable number of layers of the fabric have been wound upon the core in this manner, (usually after two layers of the fabric have been so Wound upon the core) beads are applied to the two sides of the partly formed carcass, in the manner hereinafter described, and the winding of the fabric is continued, so that the fabric covers these beads as well as the layers of fabric already Wound upon the core. During the rolling of the first layers of the fabric upon the core, and also during the Winding of the further layers of fabric after the application of the beads, the fabric is pressed in tightly against the under side of -the core, by suitable tools termed spades, operated by hand; and suitable bead rolls also-press upon the portion `of the carcass immediately outside of the beads, to form accurately these portions of the shoe. After a sufficient number of laycOre, the strip of lfabric is cut, the end pressed down tightly uponthe layers of fabric beneath, and then one or more layers of `gum are applied to the outer portion of the tire to form what is termed the padding. This padding usually covers the entire outer surface of the carcass as so far formed, Yfrom 'the bead on one side thereof to ther bead on the other side thereof. If a gum strip of proper thiclmess is used, only one layerof this padding is required. Such layers of gum may be applied hand, or, and preferably, may be applied, by substituting l in the machine, for the fabric supply roll previously in place therein, another supply This gum strip formed carcass in the same manner as previously described with reference to the Winding of the fabric. Another strip of gum, somewhat narrower,

' and, usually, considerably thicker than the `strip for forming the padding, is then applied to what is to be the tread surface of the shoe, in a similar manner. The construction of the shoe is then complete, and it is ready for curing, which latter is done in the ordinary manner and is not involved in'my present invention.

.In the drawings, 1 designates lthe shaft ybranches 18 o upon which the chuckvis mounted, 2 a frame in which said shaftV is mounted revolubly, 3 a gear wheel on said shaft, 4 a pinion intermeshing with said gear 3 and mounted upon a shaft 5, and 6, 6 designate loose and tight belt-pulleys on said shaft, the tight pulley serving to driveishaft 1 through thegears.

7 designates the chuck. The' particular chuck shown is of novel constructionand will be described more in detail later. 8, 8 designate the jaws of said chuck.

9 designates the tire-forming core which is customarily a hollow iron annulus, as shown, and which has externally a form corresponding to the form to.v be given internally to the shoe. 'i

10 designates the supply roll from which the fabric strip isdrawn, and 11 designates the shaft upon which said roll is mounted.

12 designates the fabric strip. 13 designates the Wrapper roll upon which the Wrapper of the said fabric strip-is wound as the strip itself passes to the core.

14 designates the shaft upon which said Wrapper roll is mounted, and 15, 15 designates guides in which said shaft 14 may move radially toy or from the supply roll.

1n starting the making of a tire in this machine, the fabricv strip is led from the supply roll, as previously described, and its end .applied to the surface of the core as previously described. The core is then caused to rotate, and as it rotates workmen apply spaders 16 (Fig. 7) by hand, to the fabm'c strip, pressing the fabric closely against the under side of the core, as illustrated in Fig. 7.

In some cases the tension on the fabric strip is relied upon tosecure the desired tightness of winding of said strip upon the core; while in other cases presser rolls 17, 17 (Fig. 6) vare employed to press the fabric more firmly against the core. These rolls 17, when em loyed, are Amounted upon a forked` lever 19, and by means hereinafter described the pressure of these rolls is regulated. ,The-.mounting of the said lever is also such,as hereinafter described, that as the diameter ofthe carcass of the tire radually increases, this lever can retreat' sightly, so,-v that substantially the same pressureA `is ezieited by, vSaid rolls upon the carcass at. all times; The rolls are placed obliquelyas shown particularlyfin Fig. A6 and one of the rolls is located sli htly iin rear of the otherandslightly over? track of the first roll'soithat the entire upper surface of the tension upon the fab,rio,strip,vI-`employla friction bearing boxZO (Fig. 16) be set up to any desired degree' by means of screws 21. After a sufficient number of layers of the fabric.(usua11yftwo issubjectedlto .the pressure of these rolls.v YFor regulating the which of tension layers) have been applied to the core in this manner, the customary beads 22 are introduced. l may employ endless beads, in which case the bead rings, previously formed. are placed upon the peripheriesof forms '23 (Figs. la and i3) and these forms are pressed against the partly formed carcass as shown in Fig. 13. 'lhese forms have open centers which it upon the chuck as indicated in Figs. l2 and 13. Or, I may employ a continuous bead stock in which case rolls 24 (Figs. 2, 8 and 9) are provided so mounted that they' may be moved close up against the partly formed carcass and may serve guides to guide the bead stock in place.

In Fig. 8 numbers designate continuous bead stock drawn from sources of supply not shown, and guided by the rolls 24 against the carcass. In using this continul ous bead stock the end of the stock is passed partly around the corresponding guide roll 2l, and pressed against the partly formed carcass in. the place where the bead is to bc applied, Where il; will adhere, owing to the bead stock being sichy. The core 'is then rotated and as it rotates the rolls 2.4 guide the bead stock in place. When the bead is practically complete, the bead stoel( is cut at-tlic proper point so that where out the end will abut against the initial end of the bead.

After he beads have been applied in either of the manners described, or in an): other suitable manner. further layers of fabric 12 are applied Mft-he carcass in the manner previously described, until a. sufficient thickness of fabric has-been applied to the core; these further layers being spade-din place in the manner previously described, the spading being done over the beads as well. as dovn to them; and to perfect the form of the carcass, at and around the beads, forming rolls Q5 (Figs. :"3 and 10) are employed, these rolls being held against the heads in the manner hereinafter described. A padding layer 27 of gum is then applied over the. layers of fabric previously applied. This padding layer may be applied by hand or it may be drawn from another supply roll. mounted upon the shaft l1 in place of the supply roll 10 previously ou said shaft; and in applyingl the padding layer the presser rolls-i7, may or may not be used, as preferred. Usually a single thickness of padding is all thatis required, though if desired further thicknesses may be applied. Ati-cad strip 28 of gumis then applied to the carcass. in the same manner; that is to say, either by hand. or by drawing it from a suitable supply roll. The shoe. is then finished and is ready for curing.

After the application of the desired number of layers of'abric, following the application of the beads, and before the application of the padding, the edges of the carcass are knives 129, mounted upon arios 3l,

- he adiusted.

trimmed to brin te proper and QH ployed, said knives being supported as hereinafter described.

ln applying the continuons beads as illus-- trate-fl in S and il, l emgguoy. in addition to the irain guide rolls 57:4. other guide rolls 80. spring pressed tmrarilguide rolls l and which serve to hold the bead sto-slr against said guide rolls.

The bead applying rolls Z-l, if employed. the bead fornfiing' rolls 26, and. the trirninin' and 33 respectively. mounted to slid-e longitudinally 1n other ernia, Bel, 35 and A3 spectively, pivoted' to a trawrse sad 23" mounted on lguides' of a carriage 38. There being arms 3l, 135 and 35 on each of the core, there are two of these saddles supporting two arms. shown particularly in Fig. L. and to more said saddles 13o-#ard and from each other, an adjusting 3Q, and hand wheel l0 (17 lll are employed. the screw having right hand and left hand threaded portions engaging; the two saddles l?. The carriage 2&8 is niounred'in guides of a or pedestal il and arranged to fioved toward and from the gore by meas olf .screw i2. and in id wheel I' carrying the pre rolls to blocks -ll mounted to slide up dean in raides v4:3 on the fraaie -l-l, and clamping; hulls -li are provided vfor clamping these blocks -l-l in any position in which they may At the rear of this lever l a stud l? movable up and doi-vn in a. sockel: in a block having; a si. ivel connection at 41;? to the carriage 5S., and in to* socketthere is a spring 50 tending' to press the presser rollers against the carcass. B5; .ine-ans of nut 5l the stud i7 .may he screwed up oir down, so regulating the pi are exerted by the spring.

For pressing; the trimming knives the ers 52 moan ed on hand levi-1.a. .E than., ves mounted on vertically adjustable stands 5ft comprisingI a baise anda vertically adjustable member To adjust the stands vertically their vertically movable men'ibere 5G are provided with ratchet teeth 57, and spring actuated pawls are provided to engage these ratchet teeth. and hold said members 56 in any position to which they Amay be adjusted. hand le er 53 haring been raised. by the means to a. po sition opposite one or another of the ami. il 35.01 36, it is held there h5.' action :l pawl 15. and the-n by actuating the la; the eccentr'e roller may be i against the arm 31%, or 35, or ...113, so pre il.; the tool carried thereby the carcass. The rollers 2:11: and 26 are izioimed upon their respective arms 32 and 33, by means of yokes 59 (F ig. l5) having swivel connecv tion, as shown, withtheir respective arms, so that the said rollers may be adjusted properly against the carcass. The knives 29 have a similar .swivel mounted on their arms 3l.

'The chuck 7, by which the core is supported, comprises two disks (i0 and 61 (Fig. .3) provided with guides for the clutch jaws and tliese jaws are provided with teeth engaging spiral ribs formed on disk plate 61 of the clutch. Plate C0 is secured to vshaft l by means of a set screw G3. Plate (ll is mounted upon a. hub 64; similarly secured to the shaft. lt will be apparent that by ro- 'tating plate 61 upon its hub (Si, the clutch jaws may be moved in or out as desired.

To obviate roughening of the tire during `theprocess of formation, the presser rolls v 17m-e preferably formed as a plurality of disks'separately rotatable, as indicated in Fig. 6. For similar reaspns the bead-forniing rolls 26 are preferably formed in tivo .separately rotatable sections 26' and 26", as indicated in Fig. l0.

f VVbat l. claim is l. A tire lforming machine comprising in combination a rotatable ringfshaped core, upon which the tire may be formed, a pedestal in front of and at a distance from said core, pressure-rollers 'arranged to bear upon the surface of the forming tire, said rollers mounted to operate on the main tread por- ."tion of the tire being formed, and means pivoally mounted on said pedestal and mov- "fable from and toward said core and supporting said rollers. f 2. A tire forming machine comprising in combination a rotatable ring-shaped core upon whiclf t-lie tire may be formed, a pedestal-in ront of andl at'a distance from said core', presser-rollers arranged to bear upon the surface of the forming tire, said rollers mounted to operate on the main tread porl tion of the tire being formed, and supporting means pivotally mounted on said pedestal and movable toward and :from the said core and supporting said rollers, said supits point of the pivotal connection to said pedestal, and a compression spring carried by the pedestal and acting on. such rearwardly extending portion of said support` ing means and adapted to press the same toward the core.

3. A tire forming machine comprising in `combination a rotatable ring-shaped core,` upon which the tire may be formed, vpresser-V rollers arranged to bear upon the surface of the forming tirefand a lever supporting said rollers and movable toward and from said core, said two rollers located in the main on opposite sides of the core, oneo said rollers porting mea ns extendingprearwardly beyond being somewhat in rear of the other and overlapping the track of such other roll.

4. A tire forming machine comprising in combination a rotatable ring-shaped core, upon which the tire may be formed, pressen rollersarranged to bear upon the surface of the forming tire, and a bifurcate'd lever for supporting said rollers, the branches thereof extending toward the sides of the core, said rolls being mounted at the ends of said branches, one roll being somewhat in rear of the other roll, and overlapping' the track of such other roll.

5. A tire forming machine comprising in combination a ring core, and tool-support l ing means comprising a standard, a carriage mounted thereon and movable toward and from said core, and a saddle mounted to slide transversely on said carriage, and tool carrying arms pivot/ed tosaid saddle, the axes of the pivots of said arms-being approximately perpendicular tothe 'plane of l the movement of said carriage.

6. A tire forming machine comprising in combination a rotatable ringcore, a pedestalv l comprising a carriage movable toW;`..\-d-and from said core in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of said core, said carriage provided with a guide, transversely arranged with' respect to `said core, saddles mounted to slide on said guide, and tool-arms pivotedto said saddles and arranged to swing laterally "on'tlieir pivots well out of coperativeproximity. to said cornet-he axes of th pivots of said arms being approximately perpendicular to the lane of the. movement of said carriage.

7. A tire forming machine comprising in combination arcta-table rin'g co're, a pedesioo tal comprising 'a carriage vmovable toward and from said core` in a direction 'substantially parallelA to the plane of rotationvof said core, said carriage provided with a' guide, transversely arranged With .respect to-said core, saddles mounted to slide on said guide, tool-arms pivoted vto saidsaddles and arranged to swing-laterally on their pivots Vwell out vot coperative proximity to'said core,l and means for moving said vsaddles Atoward and-from the plane of rotation of said core. l

8. A. tireorming machine comprisingin combination ring core., tool-supporting means comprising a standard and one or more arms pivoted thereto, and adapted to.

carry tools, and means for'pressingonc or more ot the tools so carried 'against the `Work, comprisingl a lever and apivotal sup. port therefor, said lever adapted tofpress against one of said arms andthereby force it toward the work. Y

91A tire forming machine comprising in combination a'ring core, tool supporting means comprising a standard and one or more arms pivoted thereto, and adapted to carry tools, and means forpressing one or more of the tools so carried against the work, comprising a lever, apivotal support therefor, and an eccentric roller on said lever adapted, by the movement of the lever. to be caused to press against one of said arms.

10. A tire forming machine comprising in combination a rotatable ring. core, a pivotally mounted tool arm arranged to swing toward and awayfrom szid core, and beadapplying I means swivel-connected to said arm, and comprising a grooved bead-guiding and -applying roll and a second roll having an axis substa ntially parallel to that of the first roll and arranged closeto the periphery of the first roll and adapted to hold the bead strip in place in the groove of said first roll, the axis of said swiveiconnection being approximately perpendicular to the plane of rotation of said core when the bead-appl`ying means is in working position.

'11. A tire forming machinecomprising in combination a rotatable ring core, a pedestal comprising' a vcarriage movable A toward and A from said core in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of vsaid core,

said' earriage'proviled with a guide', trans- 12. A tire forming machine comprisingfin combination a rotatable ruig core, a pedestal" comprising a carriage movable tow'ardan from said core in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of said core;

said carriage provided with a guide, transversely arranged with respect to said core, y

saddles mounted to slide on said guide, toolarms pivoted to said saddles and arranged to swing on their pivots Well out of collp'eraf,a tive proximity to said core, and means or lmoving .sa-id saddles toward and froml the plane of rotation of said core.

In testimony whereof have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

THOMAS J. W lima.

Witnesses;

H. M. MARBLE, D. A. Davies. 

